How Colorado Families Can Enroll at Enlightium Academy
Enlightium Academy is an approved private Christian school that is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Enlightium has served homeschool, online, and co-op school students in K-12 since 2003. As K-12 education policies are different in each state, it is a parental responsibility to check on their state’s homeschool requirements and fulfill them as applicable. To assist parents with this process, Enlightium provides basic information about each state’s requirements. Parents are also encouraged to review their state’s requirements at hslda.org/legal and/or The Colorado Department of Education, as educational policies are subject to change over time.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and Washington D.C.; however, with a freedom to educational opportunities comes a responsibility to understand and fulfill legal requirements. This can be worrisome, yet you’re not alone in this endeavor. Enlightium Academy is here to help!
Please, note that the resources below serve as a starting point for your family; it is important that you research Colorado homeschooling requirements.
Colorado’s Homeschooling Requirements at a Glance
|
Homeschooling Options |
Option 1: Homeschooling under Colorado’s homeschool statute |
|
State Educational Funds |
No |
|
Does the Parent Need to Notify the State? |
No |
|
Academic Calendar Requirement |
No |
|
Reporting Age Requirement |
6 |
|
Instructor Qualifications |
Yes |
|
Required Subjects |
No |
|
Standardized Assessment |
No |
|
Immunization Requirement |
Yes, with exemptions |
|
Keep a Portfolio |
Yes |
|
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Colorado Families |
Yes |
Homeschooling Options
There are three homeschooling options in Colorado. Families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 1: Homeschooling under Colorado’s homeschool statute. The rest of this blog provides guidance based on Option 1, which will apply to most Colorado families enrolled at Enlightium Academy.
Alternatively, families with students enrolled at Enlightium Academy can choose Option 3 (Homeschooling with a certified teacher) if:
- The student is enrolled in the parent-led Homeschool Program or the parent-led Bronze Package, AND
- The parent/lead guardian (or the student’s tutor) holds a valid Colorado teaching certificate.
The benefits of choosing Option 3 include that the family is not required to notify the state, and the student is not required to take a standardized assessment.
State Educational Funds
No state educational funds are available for homeschooling families at this time.
Age Requirement
Ages five or younger:
Students are not required to attend school but can enroll in primary school at Enlightium Academy to have a head start and be ready for Kindergarten.
Aged six on or before August 1:
They must attend school during that academic year; this includes homeschooling with Enlightium Academy. Students must continue their education at a school of their parent’s choice until they turn 17 years old or graduate.
Instructor Qualifications
Under option 1, the Colorado Department of Education does not require teachers to have specific credentials or qualifications.
As a part of Enlightium Academy’s dual accreditation, Enlightium teachers are state and/or ACSI-certified. A number of our faculty members have Master's and Doctorate degrees in their fields.
Students in the Homeschool Program (grades PreK-8) can use book-based Christian curricula from AOP or BJU Press, while students in the Online Program (grades 3-12) can use the digital Christian curriculum, "Ignitia". Finally, students in the Sapphire Live program (grades 3-12) can use a collection of the best curriculum options on the market. Each curriculum includes Bible, English, math, science, social studies, and electives courses. Click here to learn about the curriculum used at Enlightium Academy and to find the curriculum option that works best for your family.
Required Subjects
Under option 1, the Colorado Department of Education requires you to provide 172 days of instruction, averaging four hours per day. Enlightium’s school calendar has 180 school days (around 210 days with summer school). Additionally, students have access to the courses 24/7 for most days of the school year, including weekends and holidays. The following subjects are required:
- Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Literature
- Math
- History, Civics, and the United States Constitution
- Science
The above subjects are core courses at Enlightium Academy and should be assigned by your student’s counselor.
Standardized Assessment
The Colorado Department of Education requires that students be assessed with a nationally standardized achievement test to determine if they have made sufficient academic progress according to their ability. Students must be tested or evaluated in grades 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.
Enlightium provides multiple assessment options to help you see how your student is progressing per given grade level:
- Grades PreK-8: IXL diagnostic assessments or Iowa Complete Annual Assessment; you can also opt out of an assessment. Students in grades 3, 5, and 7 should take the Iowa Complete or another standardized assessment
- Grades 9-12: Guidance for college-preparatory assessments such as the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT
Immunization Requirement
Immunization is required in the state of Colorado; therefore, parents are required to keep their children’s immunization records or exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Enlightium Academy does not require student immunization as we serve homeschool students but must abide by state regulations.
You may find the Colorado state exemption form here. To complete an immunization exemption form, the state of Colorado requires you to be eligible under religious exemption.
Keep a portfolio
The law requires Colorado homeschooling parents to keep attendance records, test and evaluation results, and immunization records. You may need to provide your state with additional information, so please keep a digital record every year you are enrolled at Enlightium Academy, which should include:
- Attendance - Enlightium provides your family with weekly progress reports. You can screenshot the details in these emails to show attendance.
- Curriculum information and samples - Enlightium provides its families with both curriculum overviews by grade level and samples by course.
- Course plans - Enlightium Academy counselors provide them during the enrollment/re-enrollment process based on the student’s grade level: primary school (PreK-2), elementary school (3-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12).
- Grades - Enlightium provides report cards for all students after quarters 1, 2, and 3 and report cards/transcripts at the end of the school year or summer.
- Test scores - This can include occasional screenshots of test scores and/or standardized assessment scores.
- Academic Awards - Enlightium provides qualifying students with certificates for Honor Roll, Scholar’s List, Dean’s List, and the Presidential Award.
- Social/Competition Achievements - Enlightium holds social events and competitions throughout the school year, such as art competitions and spelling bees.
Enlightium Parents App with Group for Colorado Families
Enlightium Academy has an app and desktop platform for families of currently enrolled students. Within this app is a group just for families living in Colorado to inform and support each other in fulfilling your state’s homeschooling requirements.
Your family will be added to this group upon enrolling at Enlightium and downloading the Enlightium Parents app (which is provided upon enrollment).
Ready to Enroll at Enlightium Academy?
- Explore Enlightium Academy’s website or watch this video about online homeschooling.
- If you have any questions:
- Chat with a team member
- Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Call (866) 488-4818 option 2
- Ready to enroll? Click here to start the enrollment process and select the blue button near the top of the page.
Enlightium Academy is a private Christian online school that serves homeschooling families by offering a Bible-based, flexible, accredited, teacher-supported, and affordable education from the comfort of your home. For any other questions about Enlightium, please call (866) 488-4818, or visit EnlightiumAcademy.com.
We review state requirements and regulations annually; however, each state may update its guidelines more frequently. If you have additional questions, please contact your state board of education.
Sources reviewed in February 2024:
